SGT William T. Cherry, "Billy" to his family, began his tour in Vietnam on December 13, 1966. He completed 2 days over 9 months of a 13 month tour when he was killed on a combat operation when his unit was ambushed. On this day, a total of 3 men from the 4th of the 39th were killed; two in an ambush and 1 when the mine clearing unit was attacked by a hostile force. It is unclear if all 3 men were at the same location when attacked. The three killed were: